Switch mechanism



Feb. 25, 1941. A. c. GROHSGAL SWITCH MECHANISM Filed Dec. 18, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYJ Feb. 25, 1941. A. c. GROHSGAL SWITCH MECHANISM Filed Dec. 18, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 llllI INVENTOR. Allrzlr [T fira/zwgal BY M M M ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 25,1941

UNITED STATES SWITCH MECHANISM Alexis C. Grohsgal, New York, N. Y., assignor to Marks Products Co. Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 18, 1937, Serial No. 180,489

6 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in switch mechanism and more particularly to improvements in mechanism of the type known to the art as snap switches.

Heretofore snap switch mechanism has been constructed in such fashion as to incorporate a bridge member of suitable shape mounted to rotate in a limited fashion about a fixed pivot and having associated therewith a handle, a spring, and a separate spring compressor. The compressor necessarily was disposed between the handle and a part of the bridge member in such fashion as to bear upon a part of the handle with consequent wear and destruction.

An object of the present invention is to provide a switch arrangement in which the parts are so constructed as to permit the elimination of a separate spring compressor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch construction in which the handle is provided with an integral spring engaging portion so shaped as to retain a spring between the handle and a part of the bridge member.

In carrying out the above and other objects of the invention a spring construction embodying the same is made up of a housing, spaced contacts therein to be in circuit-closing position; a substantially U-shaped, L-shaped, or other suitably shaped bridge member so mounted as to rotate about a suitable axis, a handle member mounted to rotate about the same or a different axis and a spring interposed between the handle and part of the bridge member. In order that the number of parts necessary for the operation of this type of device may be minimized, the bridge member is provided with an integral formation adapted to be inserted in one end of a coiled spring, and the handle is also provided with an integral formation adapted to be inserted in the other end of such spring. Due to these two formations it is possible to maintain the spring under the proper compression between the handle and the bridge member in such fashion that movement of the handle within definite limits in either direction will cause movement of the bridge member from circuit-closing to circuit-opening position.

In one form of the invention illustrated herein the improved switch construction has beenillustrated as being incorporated in a device of the character known in the art as a utility light. In another form of the invention the same mechanism has been illustrated as being incorporated in a structure known to the art as a plug switch. In another form the invention has been shown as being incorporated in a heavy-duty switch. It is to be understood, however, that the invention can be incorporated in' switches of other construction, all of which are well-known in this art.

Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments thereof, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a bottom view of one construction having a switch of the present invention included therein;

Fig. 2 is a section taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view partially in section of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a section taken substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a handle member according to this invention;

Fig. '7 is a side view partially in section of a still further embodiment of the invention, and

Fig. 8 is a section taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, l0 indicates generally a housing for a device of the character known to the art as a utility light. This housing is made up of a cylindrical part II, a cross web l2, and a neck part M of smaller diameter than the part II. The neck part II is hollowed out and has disposed therein a screw-threaded shell l5 of some suitable conducting material. The shell I5 is held in place by an eyelet l6 passing through an aperture in the web l2 and through an enlarged orifice in the bottom of the shell ii. The eyelet I6 is insulated from the shell l5 by a washer ll of some suitable insulating material. A bent spring contact member I! is secured to the opposite surface of web l2 by this same eyelet It so that the head 19 of the eyelet serves as a center contact for an electric light bulb to be engaged in threaded relation with the shell I5.

The cylindrical part II is provided with two internal bosses 20 and 2|. The boss 20 serves as a support for a spring contact 22 and also as a support for a contact prong 24 of the plugin type. The boss 2| serves as a support for a second contact prong 25, and also as a support for a conducting strap 26 extending downwardly of the boss; through the web l2 and onto electric connection with the shell IS. The structure before described form no part of this invention and accordingly further detailed description thereof has been omitted.

By inspection of the drawings it will be seen that the two spring contacts or terminals l8 and 22 have pants l8 and 24' disposed one above being provided wtlh legs 3| and a connecting cross bar 3 2. The other parts of the switch mechanism comprise a handle indicated generally at 34 and acoiled spring 35. 1

In order that one end of the spring 35 can be held in assembly with the other par-ts of the switch, the cross bar 32 of the bridge 30 is provided with a substantially tubular projection, burr or other spring retainingfiormation 35 struck out of the material of the cross bar. This bar or tubular extension is disposed substantially centrally of the cross bar. In order that the other end of the same spring 35 may be held in assembly with the switch mechanism, the handle 34 is provided with a tapered part 40 having a ball formation 4| formed integrally intermediate the ends of the edge-like termination of such tapered part 40. This ball is of such size as to fit snugly within one end of the spring 35. The three component parts of the switch mechanism may be held in assembly with the housing by means of a pin 45 which extends through matched holes in the legs 3| of the bridge 30 and through a hole 46 in the handle member 34. This pin 45, as indicated in Fig. 3, extends through these matched openings with a .part of the handle 34 interposed between the legs 3|. The pin 45 is en aged in a boss 41 extending a slight distance from the web l2 and may be held in place either with a drive fit or in any other suitable fashion. The remaining part of the handle extends outward-1y from the pin 45 and the serrated edge 48 thereof extends through an opening in the wall of the part II in position to be manually engaged asshown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The spring 35 may be placed in interposed position between the cross bar 32 and part 40 of the handle either before or after the handle and the bridge are mounted within the housing. The

mounting is accomplished preferably by locating these parts in such fashion that the openings in the lugs 3| are aligned with the opening 45 and with the serrated part 48 extending through the housing after which the pin 45 may be lockingly engaged in the boss 41. Pins or lugs 48' serve as stops to engage the housing wall during assembly of the handle with the housing and with the other parts of the switch mechanism, so that the handle cannot be forced through the opening in the housing.

When the parts are properly arranged as shown, it will be evident that the spring 35 is retained in suitable interposition by means ofthe tubular extension or burr 35 and the ball 4|. The formation 4| which has been shown as being similar to aball constitutes the preferred form of integral handle spring engaging device, but it I is to be understood that other formations may switch mechanisms heretofore used which nor- 5 mally employ a separate spring compressor mounted within the spring and held between the handle and the cross bar of the bridge member. 1

In Figs. 4 and 5 a somewhat different type of switch housing has been shown. This device is commonly known in the art as a detachable plug connector with enclosed switch. The device which per se forms no part of the invention is made up of two complemental molded members 5. and 5|, so shaped as to accommodate spring terminal members 52 and 54 for the reception of appliance plugs. The terminal 52 is connected by a strap 55 to a binding post 55. The terminal 54 is connected to a spring terminal member 51 positioned above and spaced from a. second spring terminal member 58 in turn connected to a binding post 59.

The two parts 50 and 5| have the walls thereof cut away to form an opening shown at 60 for the passage of a switch handle 6| similar to the handle 34 before described. Member 5| has a short internal boss 62 in which can be secured a pin 64 serving the same purpose as pin 45. This pin 64 forms a pivot about which switch mechanism indicated generally at 10 canmove to 30 cause the contact bridge thereof to be shifted from the position bridging the terminals 51 and 58 to the full line position of Fig. 4 wherein the circuit is interrupted. The parts of the switch mechanism are similar in principal details to those described in connection with the other em bodiment of the invention, and accordingly detailed description of these parts has been omitted. However, the cross bar H of the bridge extends between edges of the legs and not between the ends thereof and a small extension 12 fits in the spring in the same manner as the tubular formation 36..

It should be noted in each of the two forms of the housing illustrated that the construction is such as to eliminate the requirement for any locking member to hold the switch mechanism in assembly with the pins or posts about which the moving parts rotate. In the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 to 3 the handle extends through an opening in the wall of the housing so that when the parts have been properly assembled (the pin being inserted as a final step), these parts cannot be separated from the pin without rupturing the wall of the housing. In the arrangement shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the switch mechanism can be assembled onto the pin after the pin has been locked to the part 5|. When the two complemental parts 50 and 5| are secured together in some suitable fashion, the handle is restrained 9 from movement axially of the pin 64 and con- 'sequently separation of the switch parts from the pin is prevented.

In Figs. 7 and 8 mechanism has been shown in a more or less diagrammatic fashion for use in connection with switches of the type known generally as heavy-duty switches. In these figures indicates a base made up of some suitable insulating material, which base may have inte= gral therewith a side plate 8| and have secured '70 thereto an opposite side plate 82. If desired, these plates may both be made separate from the base 80 or integral therewith. Inserts 84 of insulating material are positioned between the side plates 8| and 82 opposite to the base 15 angles to the two arms 98 and 9|.

within the coiled spring 99.

88, which inserts serve as fillers and also as stop members to limit rotation of a handle 85 pivotally mounted as on a shaft 88 between thetwo side plates. This handle 85 has a tapered portion 81 similar to the portions 48 previously described and an integral ball formation 88 similar to the ball formation 4|.

Use is made in this form of the invention of a contact bridge member preferably stamped from a sheet of conducting material in such fashion as to have contact arms and 9| joined by a cross-bar portion 92 extending at right Thus, the parts are so shaped that the member closely simulates a z in appearance, with the two arms 80 and 9| bent slightly out of longitudinal alignment. The cross-bar part 92 has opposite pointlike extensions 94 which serve as fulcrums about which the member can oscillate. The base 80 is,cut away as indicated at 85, and if desired, an insert 98 of wear resistingv material can be located in the cut-away part. This insert 86 has a cross groove 91 to receive the two fulcrum members 94. It is to be understood, however, that the insert 96 is not essential, since the material of the base 80 may in some instances serve as wear resisting material, in which event, a groove similar to groove 91 will be out directly in the base. Extending from the bridge 92 on the opposite edge thereof from the fulcrums 94 is a rounded edge tongue member 98 adapted to be inserted into 'a coiled spring 99. The other end of this coiled spring 99 has the ball formation 88 inserted therein. Two terminals of spring form 10 and I0! are secured to the assembly at the opposite ends thereof in such position that when the arms 98 and 9| are in the full line position of Fig. '7 they will engage the two terminals IOI and H10 respectively to close a circuit through the switch member; and when these arms are in the dotted-line position, of Fig. '7, the circuit will be interrupted.

The operation of this type of switch is similar to that hereinbefore described since movement of the handle about its axis causes oscillation of the two arms and 9| from circuit-closing to circuit-opening position. This type of mechanism embodies all of the changes inherent in the structures before described, such as simplicity of manufacture, minimum number of parts and the like. Again it should be noted that the integral formations 88 and 98 permit the elimination of any spring compressor located It is to be understood, moreover, that other forms or shapes of integral formations can be used in this arrangement and that the salient features of this construction can be embodied in any type of housing made up of a base and side walls whether such housing be molded of any number of parts and whether the same be of ornamental configuration or not.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides simplified switch constructions made up of a minimum number of parts.

The arrangements are of such character that the I spring which is necessary for snap switch action is effectively retained between parts of the bridge member and of the handle without requiring a separate spring compression member. Due to this simplified construction it is possible to assemble the parts with more rapidity, and when once assembled the parts may be used indefinitely without creating such wear as would necessitate replacement of parts. Moreover,

be only those set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

I:In switch mechanism, a combination of a housing, spaced contacts therein, a bridge member and a handle mounted in said housing for limited rotation and a spring interposed between parts of said bridge member and of said handle, said bridge member having an integral formation engaging one end of said spring, said handle having one end thereof tapered to a ridgelike termination with a ball-like formation formed integrally therewith and disposed intermediate ends of said termination, said ball-like portion being smaller than said spring and extending into the other end of said spring to the limit determined by said termination, said balllike portion substantially filling the end of said spring with freedom of movement therein.

2. In switch mechanism, the combination of a housing, spaced contacts therein, a bridge member and a handle mounted in said housing for limited rotation, and a spring interposed between parts of said bridge member and of said handle, said bridge member having an integral formation engaging one endof said spring, said handle having an integral formation smaller than said spring to extend into the other end of said spring, said handle having means limiting the extent to which said formation extends into said spring, said formation substantially filling the end of said spring with freedom of movement therein.

3. In switch mechanism, the combination of a housing, spaced contacts therein, a bridge member and a handle mounted in said housing for limited rotation, and a spring interposed between parts of said bridge member and of said handle, said bridge member having an integral formation engaging one end of said spring, said handle having an integral spring engaging formation to fit in the other end of said spring and having oppositely disposed edge-like limiting formations engaging said other end of said spring, said spring engaging formation being smaller than said spring and extending into said spring to the limit determined by said termination formations, said spring engaging formation substantially filling the end of said spring with freedom of movement therein.

4. In switch mechanism, the combination of a housing, spaced contacts therein, a bridge member and a handle mounted in said housing for limited rotation, and a spring interposed between parts of said bridge members and of said handle, said bridge member having an integral formation engaging one end of said spring, said handle having an integral rounded end formation to fit in the other end of said spring'andhousing, spaced contacts therein, a bridge member and a handle mounted in said housing for limited rotation about subst ntially the same axis, and a spring interpose between parts of said bridge member and of said handle, said bridge member having an integral formation engaging one end of said spring, said handle havhousing, spaced contacts therein, a bridge member and a handle mounted in said housing for limited rotation about spaced apart axes, and a spring interposed between parts of said bridge member and'oi said handle, said bridge member having an integral formation engaging one end of said spring, said handle having an integral rounded end formation to fit in the other end 01 said spring and having oppositely disposed limiting shoulders engaging said other end of the spring, said rounded endiormation being smaller than said'spri g andextending thereinto'to the limit determin by'said shoulders, said rounded end formation substantially filling the end of said spring with freedom of movement therein.

Arms 0. eaonsaan; 

